U.S. Gap Year Orientation

We begin our semester with a Gap Year orientation in the U.S. After a welcoming BBQ with all ARCC Gap programs, we settle into our Himalaya Gap Program group by getting to know one another and our instructors. Together we map out our itinerary and set both individual and group goals for the duration of the program. We introduce our curriculum and brainstorm ideas for our individual Capstone Passion Projects, all the while coming together as a traveling community.

Leh Exploration and Ladakh Education Project

We fly together through Delhi to a small town in Northern India located in the Ladakh Province of the Indian Himalayas. Stepping off the plane we find ourselves surrounded by the vast, mountainous landscapes so unique to northern India. Settling into the picturesque Tibetan town of Leh, we take a few days to acclimatize to the altitude, exploring the charming town squares and visiting its surrounding monasteries. Finding ourselves in a place so entirely different from anything we have experienced before, we soak up the serenity of our new home. Once acclimatized, we leave Leh behind and head into the remote countryside of Ladakh where, after several hours of driving, we come to a tiny town surrounded by grazing yaks. We set up base camp in the village and begin our education project building libraries, assisting in classrooms and constructing playgrounds at a rural government school. We are welcomed into the homes of locals for a short homestay. As we share meals with our new families, we form close bonds with the members of this community and feel a sense of accomplishment as we see the results of our hard work. After a final evening celebration with our new friends, we make our way back to Leh for our next project in Ladakh.

Snow Leopard Conservation

We settle into our homestay homes in a small town just outside of Leh, eager to begin our partnership with an organization working diligently to conserve the endangered Snow Leopard of the Indian Himalayas. Here we have the opportunity to shadow researchers in their efforts to map snow leopard habitat in the region of Ladakh, gaining a deeper understanding of the human-wildlife conflict that has contributed to the decline of the snow leopard population. We learn more about the various threats to conservation here, working with the locals on their community-based environmental education program for rural Ladakh initiative. In the evenings we continue to come together as a traveling community, setting both individual and group goals for the duration of the program. Our preparation includes further discussion of our curriculum, including identifying where each of our five essential themes will occur, and touching on preliminary ideas for our Capstone Projects. After a few days of conservation work, we say a brief farewell to India as we head on to explore our next section of the program in Nepal.

Orientation and Kathmandu Exploration

We fly together to Kathmandu, Nepal where we are welcomed by our local partners and settle into our guesthouse in the beautiful historic district of Bhaktapur. Here we orient ourselves to Nepali culture and explore the narrow cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, while getting a chance to practice some basic Nepali language skills. We venture to Durbar Square, where we walk the winding streets trying our hands at bartering in the various markets. We spend a day learning more about the traditional Ayurvedic health practices common in the region, receiving natural treatments and participating in a traditional Newari feast.

Women’s Cooperative Farm

After experiencing a few days of city life in Nepal, we venture out to spend some time on a rural farming cooperative. In partnership with a local organization this project gives us the opportunity to explore the Environment and Conservation theme through studying sustainable farming efforts, while also looking at gender issues in Nepal. This farm is a safe place for women who have experienced the inherent gender inequalities that come along with being a woman in Nepal. Here we have the opportunity to shadow the women in the fields, working to grow all of their own food. We spend time in the clinic on-site to deepen our understanding of rural health care, while also learning more about the women-run radio station they have created at the cooperative in partnership with their microfinance training opportunities. In the afternoons we play soccer with the many children living at the farm, playing games and taking in the breathtaking sights of the Nepali Himalayas. Through all this, we build our knowledge of environmental and gender issues in Nepal.

Pokhara and Trekking in the Himalayas

Leaving our new home on the farm behind, we make our way northwest to Pokhara, a gateway to the Nepali Himalayas. Eagerly anticipating the next five days on the trails, we gather the little gear we need and pack our bags for our trek into the breathtaking Himalayan Mountains. Hiking through small villages, feasting on the local dahl bat, and sleeping in small teahouses, we step into a world of astounding beauty and simplicity. Gaining a glimpse into the lives of locals, we have the opportunity to interview porters and guides who make their livelihood trekking these mountain trails and sharing their remote world with eager and adventurous foreigners. Taking advantage of the local knowledge around us, we complete a study on the environmental changes taking place in the Annapurna Range, and learn about sustainable efforts to curb environmental and cultural degradation.

Buddhist Monastery Stay

Tired after a few days of trekking in the mountains, we have the opportunity to relax and reflect during our stay at a monastic institute nestled just outside of Pokhara. Here we learn the great practice of meditation, shadowing the monks in their daily routines and learning more about one of the major religions of the world. We play soccer with the young monks beginning their early education into Buddhism, and help them practice their English language skills. We practice yoga and center ourselves for the remaining portion of the semester, reflecting upon the experiences we have had thus far and looking forward to the many adventures ahead.

Bustling Delhi, Indian Cooking Class and the Nizamuddin Slum

After a short flight back to India, we take our first steps into the bustling, honking, vibrant, never-ceasing streets of Delhi. Welcomed by our local partners, we take part in a thorough orientation, which will set the groundwork for the rest of our semester. Then we take to the streets of Old and New Delhi! Finding ourselves surrounded by life as we’ve never seen it before, we soak up our new home, slowly becoming accustomed to the sights, sounds, smells and workings of this renowned city. Biking through Delhi’s back alleys at dawn, wandering its endless bazaars during the day, and perching atop its rooftops at dusk, we can’t help but find charm in the chaos of this city. We spend a morning shopping in the food markets with local chefs, before trying our hands in the kitchen with an all-day cooking class. Experimenting with masala sauces, biryanis and the many varieties of delicious breads, both sweet and savory, we cook a feast of mouth-watering Indian cuisine, and tuck away recipes for future use upon our return home.

Next we visit a local non-profit in one of Delhi’s largest slums, jumping right into the themes of Urbanization and the Movements of People, and Microfinance and Economic Growth, where we begin our work with this small and inspiring NGO that is working to provide services and resources to families, especially children, who are living in the slums of Delhi. We have the opportunity to interview youth from the slum who have participated in the vocational training programs offered, while also participating in discussions on the rights of migrants and the economic and health challenges facing this marginalized population. When not conducting interviews or participating in class, we tour the slum. Led by our new friends we get a feel for this industrial community living on the fringes.

Sunrise at The Taj Mahal, Sloth Bear and Elephant Conservation

Leaving Delhi behind, we head east to the magnificent Taj Mahal. A Wonder of the World, there’s nothing quite so special as a sunrise over the Taj. With cameras fully charged, we wander the site, learning its history and taking pictures of its grandeur. Satisfied with our visit, we make our way to the largest bear conservatory in the world, where we spend a few days working alongside bear keepers learning about conservation efforts for the Indian Sloth Bear. This conservatory also houses numerous elephants who have been rescued from the rigors of logging and trekking in India. We bathe and feed the elephants and gain a deeper understanding of the many threats to conservation of these two magnificent species. After comparing and contrasting conservation efforts here to those we witnessed with the snow leopard in Ladakh, we leave our time in Agra with a newfound appreciation for these conservation efforts.

Pushkar Camel Fest and Education Project

No trip to India is complete without a visit to Rajasthan, the ‘Land of Kings.’ We spend time in the Thar Desert, sleeping under the star-strewn skies and soaking up the wilds of the desert. After a visit to the City Palace in Jaipur, we make our way South to Pushkar, arriving in time for the renowned annual Camel Festival! Greeted by the sights and sounds of thousands of Indians celebrating, we wander the bustling streets of this normally sleepy town, sampling traditional foods, observing religious ceremonies, bartering for turbans and other goods, and cheering on the contestants of India’s famed mustache competitions. After all that we’ve seen thus far in India, our glimpse of Indians on vacation shows an entirely different side of this fascinating country.

We then head on to a community that our partners have been working with for a number of years now, where we are once again welcomed into the homes of community members for a short homestay. In this community we get to try our hands at teaching, working with the children in the local school to teach English lessons and step into the role of an educator, meanwhile gaining a deeper understanding of the education system in different regions of India.

Goan Beaches and Departure

Saying a sad farewell to beautiful Rajasthan, we make our way South to the sandy beaches of a small town north of Goa, where we enjoy some of India’s beautiful coastline and beaches. We try our hand at surfing some of the beginner breaks of the southern coast, taking lessons from experienced surfers in the region. Reminiscing on our experiences, we round out our Capstone Passion Projects and reflections from these invigorating three months. The memories we have made will stay with us for the rest of our lives. As we savor the last moments of our Himalaya Gap Year Program, we are excited to head home to share our newly gained knowledge and insights from our firsthand look at the global issues facing Nepal and India.

*Please note that the order of the countries and of the projects is subject to change depending on your group assignment.

Below you will find several Group Journal excerpts, written by ARCC students during their Gap Year with ARCC: